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'We are going to find out who you are,' Winnipeg police warn those making threats against schools

'We are going to find out who you are,' Winnipeg police warn those making threats against schools

Winnipeg police have a message for people who threaten schools online: they are going to catch you.

Police were on scene at three schools Friday, after online threats were made Thursday to the schools — including Arthur Day Middle School in the River East Transcona School Division, which was also the target of threats on Monday.

École Van Belleghem, a K-8 school in the Louis Riel School Division, was placed under a hold and secure situation Friday afternoon following an online threat Thursday.

Another school in the River East Transcona School Division was also threatened.

While police don't believe the threats are credible, that doesn't mean they're taking them lightly, a police spokesperson said Friday.

"We have teams of investigators from major crimes working on this," Const. Rob Carver said at a Friday morning news conference.

"We do have a uniform presence at the schools. But we don't believe the threats represent a danger to the schools."

Police have not yet identified the people responsible for making the threats Thursday.

On Monday, threats on Snapchat targeting Arthur Day resulted in a hold and secure situation that lasted the entire day. A 14-year-old girl was arrested and is facing a charge of uttering threats.

Police confirmed the teen charged had no access to firearms or explosives, and she did not have the ability to carry out the threats. It's not known if she is a student at Arthur Day.

While police say there's no danger in the latest round of threats either, Carver says teens who make such threats will be found and charged.

"Don't do it. You are breaking the law. You are going to get arrested. We are going to find out who you are," he said.

"This causes a lot of disruption, it causes fear in the community. We are going to find out who did it and then we charge them after they are arrested.

"They are going to face whatever legal consequences would be appropriate."